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[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Perhaps that many of us live in countries where Webster's bastardization of the English language is not acceptable usage? After all, it was called An American Dictionary of the English Language and not An Universal Dictionary of the English Language.

To (almost) quote your countryman,
get a sense of humor.

BTW, An American Dictionary of the English Language was released in 1828 so not quite "over 200 years" unless you are writing from 2029.

His speller was published in 1783.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Perhaps you have noticed that I'm Canadian? In these parts, we tend to be very accepting of the various oddities in English orthography. Heck, we are even accepting of New Zealand's continued use of fiord instead of fjord.

And yes, we do use both ise and ize. Looking in most Canadian dictionaries, you will often see multiple spellings with the first listed being the preferred. Oddly, if you look at British spelling, you will also find ise/ize being used.

Of course, since the northernmost settlement in Canada is Grise Fiord aka Aujuittuq (Inuktitut ᐊᐅᔪᐃᑦᑐᖅ, 'Place that never thaws'), we may be biased towards fiord.

Webster (and France) are prescriptive. Oxford English Dictionary and mostly Collins and Chambers etc, English outside the USA, is not prescriptive but reflects use. Using -ise or -ize, nosy or nosey and other variations are allowed. It is important to pick and be consistent in a single document, a periodical/newspaper, novel or series.

Also real languages are not frozen or in aspic, they change.

Fiord vs Fjord.
In Ireland place names with fjord are spelled -ford. So most irish places with -ford are not river crossings, but coastal inlets named by Vikings. Strangford, Carlingford, Waterford etc.
Lots of people also spell Freyja as Freya.
Even 100 year old English is now somewhat outdated, never mind "Regency" era 200+ years. The 600 year old English is hardly recognisable. Also TxtSpk abbreviations date to the start of the Telegraph, about 170 years ago for electrical and more than 200 years ago for optical (clacks in Terry Pratchett was a real thing even during Napoleonic Wars and the first "wire frauds" were in France on optical (semaphore) telegraphs).

Also the USA is a minority of English speakers.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

His speller was published in 1783.

You are correct there, nabor.

However, I fail to see how the work of an American patriot who wanted to divorce the American educational system from it's British roots is relevant to that vast majority of English speakers who reside outside the USA. That the speller also attempted to teach morality and the principles of American government might be considered another reason to consider it irrelevant.

As for the reasoning behind dropping the u from words due to their origin in the French language which seems to be an insult to the country that was the largest supporter of the American revolutionary war? Francophobia (gallophobia)?

Then we might want to journey into the darkness of the Simplified Spelling Board that it might be preferd if we did not addresst that issu.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Perhaps that many of us live in countries where Webster's bastardization of the English language is not acceptable usage? After all, it was called An American Dictionary of the English Language and not An Universal Dictionary of the English Language.

Then there was the Space Shuttle Endeavour where the u appears in the name.

BTW, An American Dictionary of the English Language was released in 1828 so not quite "over 200 years" unless you are writing from 2029.

Sorry, but the English language used in America is the best version of English. I find a lot of the UK usage to be somewhat off.

The Queen's English is Olde English.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Perhaps you have noticed that I'm Canadian?

Yes, and your head of state is King Charles III. That's why you've got all those "royal" names.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Sorry, but the English language used in America is the best version of English. I find a lot of the UK usage to be somewhat off.

A matter of what you are used to? Perhaps you should consider that in your rather endless series of polemics? Are we to expect a diatribe about how the slightly modified Imperial measurements system used in the USA is much to be preferred over the SI system?

[Gone]

Originally Posted by issybird

Yes, and your head of state is King Charles III. That's why you've got all those "royal" names.

Funny, as your bio says you live in New England.

That said, I really appreciate many of the interventions regarding the language, spelling, etymology, etc. Educational.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by issybird

Yes, and your head of state is King Charles III. That's why you've got all those "royal" names.

At least the royal family is a source of almost endless entertainment. Though I will admit reading and watching the coverage of the trials of the most recent ex-president is also a fine source of humour.

I could mention that many of the royal names are from British, French, German, etc. royals and nobility.

Specific to Canada, which royal names are you referring to? Montréal? Victoria? Prince George? Prince Rupert? New Brunswick? Queen Charlotte Islands (now know as Haida Gwaii)? Plus a slew of others.

Ohh... York? Jersey? Georgia? Louisiana? Carolina? Virginia? Maryland? Charleston? Orleans? San Luis Rey? plus a whack of others.

Oooppss... Sorry, those are American place names from royals and nobility.

In Canada, His Majesty's Loyal Opposition, in the USA, filthy pinko communists.

[j.p.s]

I think it was more about, for example, RCMP.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I think it was more about, for example, RCMP.

Exactly. Thank you.

And it seems that DNSB hadn't a clue when I referred to the head of state of his country, but rushed to assume that it was yet another example of arrant Yankee stupidity. And then tried to turn the conversation to yet more of our failings. Sheesh. A simple comment on how the king spells.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by issybird

Exactly. Thank you.

And it seems that DNSB hadn't a clue when I referred to the head of state of his country, but rushed to assume that it was yet another example of arrant Yankee stupidity. And then tried to turn the conversation to yet more of our failings. Sheesh. A simple comment on how the king spells.

Interesting. Somehow, I failed to notice a connection between Charles III and royal names. OTOH, it would appear that there are a lot more names derived from royalty than names with royal in them. OTOH, in the USA, there are 16 places called Royal.

And yes, I am quite aware that King Charles III is the head of state with Mary Simon acting in his place as the Governor General of Canada.

And really, arrant Yankee stupidity? Isn't that redundant?

Hmmm... Possibly. I was 14 before I found out that damn Yankee wasn't one word.

[j.p.s]

I guess we are doomed to failure since attempts to clarify misunderstanding automatically get taken as further evidence of stupidity.

[DNSB]

Hanlon's Razor.

[mergen3107]

Guys, you went quite off-topic. Would you like to continue the dialogue in PMs with each other?

[DNSB]

I'm not even certain we can see the topic from here with the Webb telescope.